What's behind those blue eyes? Mostly admirably restrained bloodlust and well-earned melancholy. The reader and the leading vamp with the Hollywood looks will have something in common by the end of this book, shared trauma -- it's a hard world out there, full of victims and cruel predators.

There's a lot for readers to like in this book. Although the author relies on many of the familiar tropes, she puts effort into fleshing out her characters, never forgetting that these are real people with lives and responsibilities. There's also a lot of stand-out action in the book. I don't mean fight scenes and sex, although there's plenty. It's just that there's something new to process and digest every few pages. The author held nothing back.

I should note that there is room for improvement, which we will no doubt see in Wolfenden's future novels. Behind Blue Eyes is written in 3rd person omniscient, with frequent point of view shifts that diffuse suspense while keeping the reader at an arms length from any one character. I would also like to see a good deal less telling and more showing; there is a tendency to overexplain and summarize that which the reader should really be able to pick up on their own. I want to discover the motivations of the characters not through summary but through direct observation of their language, gestures, and actions.

But, if you get your literary kicks from blood sucking, sexual assault, and last minute heroics, you'll be genuinely glad you stayed with the novel. Bear in mind that it is only when the main character, Mia, enters the story that the author really finds her voice. I feel that the preceding fifth of the book is mostly backstory that could have been peppered throughout the rest of the novel. It's interesting, but I am confident that a reader could pick the book up at chapter 9 and follow along just fine. In fact, it would add some more mystery to the leading man, I mean vampire.

I do expect great things from Wolfenden, and I will keep a close eye on her work. ( )